Football throwing trainer and a method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A method of training to improve a user&#39;s ability to throw a football. The method may include gripping a training ball, with the training ball having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of laces may be positioned between the first end and the second end. The training ball may define a lengthwise circumference which passes through the first and second ends, and a maximum widthwise circumference perpendicular to the lengthwise circumference and positioned between the first and second ends. The maximum widthwise circumference of the training ball may be greater than the maximum widthwise circumference of the football. The training ball may be gripped by one hand of the user, with at least one of the user&#39;s fingers extending toward the plurality of laces. The method may further include throwing the training ball in an overhand throwing motion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a football training device, and more specifically to a training ball having an enlarged configuration relative to a football for improving the grip strength of a quarterback.

2. Description of the Related Art

The game of football includes a quarterback who touches the football on most offensive plays. In some instances, the quarterback throws the football to a targeted receiver, while in other instances, the quarterback may hand the ball off to a running back, or tuck the football in his arm and run the football himself. The throwing motion of the quarterback may require that the football is gripped by the quarterback during the windup and through the release of the football. It is believed that a stronger grip strength may improve the throwing performance of a quarterback.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a training device for improving the grip strength of a quarterback. Various aspects of the present disclosure address this particular need, as will be discussed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be provided a method of training to improve a user's ability to throw a football, with the football having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis. The football may further define a lengthwise circumference which passes through the first and second ends, and a maximum widthwise circumference perpendicular to the lengthwise circumference and positioned between the first and second ends. The method may include gripping a training ball, with the training ball having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of laces may be positioned between the first end and the second end. The training ball may define a lengthwise circumference which passes through the first and second ends, and a maximum widthwise circumference perpendicular to the lengthwise circumference and positioned between the first and second ends. The maximum widthwise circumference of the training ball may be greater than the maximum widthwise circumference of the football. The training ball may be gripped by one hand of the user, with at least one of the user's fingers extending toward the plurality of laces. The method may further include throwing the training ball in an overhand throwing motion.

The method may additionally include the steps of repeating the gripping step and repeating the throwing step.

The training ball may include a plurality of outer panels, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of panels define a seam. The gripping step may include extending at least one of the user's fingers across a seam. The gripping step may include extending two of the user's fingers across the plurality of laces.

The gripping step may include positioning the user's hand on the training ball such that the user's hand is closer to one of the first and second ends than the other one of the first and second ends.

The training ball may include a pair of semi-circular strips formed adjacent respective ones of the first and second ends. The gripping step may include extending at least a portion of the user's hand to overlap a portion of one of the pair of semi-circular strips.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided a method of training to improve a user's ability to throw a football. The method may include gripping a training ball, with the training ball having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis. A length of the training ball may be defined as the distance along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. An inflatable bladder may be positioned between the first end and the second end. A plurality of outer panels may extend over the inflatable bladder, with adjacent ones of the plurality of outer panels forming a seam therebetween. Each seam may extend between the first end and the second end. A plurality of laces may extend across a common seam. The plurality of outer panels may collectively defining an outer surface positioned about the longitudinal axis, with the outer surface having a maximum width (W) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A ratio of L/W may be less than 1.56.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided a training ball for improving a grip of a user.

The length, L, of the training ball may be equal to 10.5-11.5 inches.

The maximum width, W, may be more than 7.2 inches. The maximum width, W, may be between 7.20-7.80 inches.

The plurality of outer panels may be formed of leather.

The training ball may include a pair of arcuate strips positioned adjacent respective ones of the first end and the second end.

An outer surface of the training ball may define a maximum outer circumference that is greater than or equal to 22 inches.

The present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a training ball for enhancing a grip strength of a quarterback;

FIG. 2 is a side-by-side illustrating of the training ball of FIG. 1 next to a football;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a user gripping the training ball;

FIG. 3a is a graphical representation of a contour of a user's index finger and thumb when gripping the training ball;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a user gripping a football; and

FIG. 4a is a graphical representation of a contour of a user's index finger and thumb when gripping the football.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a training ball 10 and a method of using the same, for improving the performance of a quarterback. Along these lines, the performance of the quarterback may be correlated to the ability of the quarterback to grip a football 12 (see FIG. 2), which in turn, is related to the hand-strength of the quarterback. The training method may include using a training ball 10 that is configured similar to a football 12, although being larger than a football 12, which requires the user to use a stronger grip when holding and throwing the training ball 10. Thus, by using the training ball 10 while performing throwing drills, the user may develop an increased gripping strength. After performing the throwing drills with the larger training ball 10, the user may have increased control and accuracy when the user returns to throwing a football 12 which may be smaller than the training ball 10.

The effectiveness of the training ball 10 may relate to its larger relative size to that of a football 12. Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows the training ball 10 positioned besides a football 12 for visual comparison of the difference in size and configuration. In general, a football 12 is an inflatable, prolate spheroid, which defines a longitudinal axis 14. The football 12 includes a first end 14 and a second end 16 to define a length L₁ therebetween. The football 12 also defines a long circumference (e.g., the outer periphery of the football 12 from the perspective shown in FIG. 2), a short circumference 20 (see FIG. 4), and a width W₁. The size of a football 12 may vary at the different levels of the sport, with the footballs 12 used at the professional level being larger than the footballs 12 used at youth levels. In the National Football League (NFL), the footballs 12 may include a length L₁ of 11-11.25 inches, a long circumference of 28-28.50 inches, a short circumference of 21-21.25 inches, a width of 6.5-7.00 inches and a weight of 14-15 ounces. Footballs 12 used in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as well as high school games may be sized similar to those footballs 12 used in the NFL. Youth (12-14 years old) footballs 12 may have a length of 11 inches, a width of approximately 6.5 inches and a short circumference of approximately 19.5 inches. Junior (9-12 years old) footballs 12 may have a length of approximately 10.5 inches, a width of approximately 6.0 inches, and a shot circumference of approximately 18.5 inches.

As noted above, the training ball 10 is slightly larger than the football 12 so as to force the user of the training ball 10 to exert a stronger grip to hold and throw the training ball 10. The training ball 10 defines a longitudinal axis 21 and includes a first end 22 and a second end 24 to define a length L₂ therebetween. The training ball 10 also defines a long circumference (e.g., the outer periphery of the training ball 10 from the perspective shown in FIG. 2) and a short circumference 26, and a width W₂. For a training ball 10 used by quarterbacks throwing NFL/NCAA/High School footballs, the training ball 10 may have a length of 11-11.50 inches, a long circumference of 29-30.50 inches, a short circumference of 22.5-24.5, and a width of approximately 7.1-8.0 inches. In this regard, the length L₂ of the training ball 10 may be substantially similar to that of the football 12, however, the width W₂ of the training ball 10 may be larger than that of the football 12, which may result in a larger short circumference 26 and long circumference.

A comparison in the larger size of the training ball 10 relative to the football 12 may be illustrated by comparing the ratio of the training ball 10 length/width L₂/W₂ to the football 12 length/width L₁/W₁. In general, the training ball 10 length/width L₂/W₂ ratio may be between 1.20-1.60, and more preferably between 1.50-1.51. The football length/width L₁/W₁ ratio may between 1.55-1.73, and more preferably between 1.57-1.58.

The training ball 10 may include an inflatable internal bladder, which may be covered by four outer panels 28. Each outer panel 28 may include a pair of tapered ends and a wide mid-section. The panels 28 may be positioned over the bladder, such that adjacent panels 28 form a seam 30 therebetween. The training ball 10 may additionally include a plurality of laces 32 arranged in generally evenly spaced relation to each other, wherein each lace 32 may extend generally perpendicularly across a common seam 30. The laces 32 on the training ball 10 mimic the laces that may be included on the football 12.

The outer panels 28 of the training ball 10 may be fabricated from leather, rubber, or other materials commonly used in the art for forming panels on footballs. The outer panels 28 may have a surface texture that is similar to that of the football 12. The surface texture of the outer panels 28 may have a roughness or tackiness that is similar to THE DUKE football sold by Wilson Sporting Goods. The surface texture of the outer panels 28 may have a roughness or tackiness that is greater than the MATCH XV rugby ball sold by Gilbert Rugby. The outer surface of the training ball 10 may include a pair of semi-circular strips 35 disposed adjacent respective ends 22, 24 of the training ball 10 to mimic similar strips formed on NCAA, high school and youth footballs 12. Logos or other indicia, such as team names, school names, organization names, logos, initials, etc. may be located on one or more of the outer panels 28.

During a training exercise, a user may grip the training ball 10 with the user's throwing hand in the manner shown in FIG. 3. In particular, the palm of the throwing hand is placed on a side of the training ball 10, in a position that is slightly spaced from an end of the training ball 10. In this regard, the user's hand may be positioned closer to one end of the training ball 10 than the other end, i.e., the user's hand is preferably not positioned at the exact midline of the ball. When the user's palm is placed on the ball 10, the palm may be spaced from the laces 32, and at least one of the user's fingers extends toward the laces 32, while the user's thumb may extend away from the laces 32. Depending on the size of the user's hand, and the preferred gripping location of the user, one or more of the user's fingers may extend over the laces 32. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the user's ring finger is extending over the laces 32, while the user's middle finger and index finger is extending over the seam 30 between the laces 32 and the end. The user's pinkie finger extends from the user's palm, with the tip of the pinkie residing just short of the laces 32.

The user's grip on the training ball 10 may be compared to the user's grip on a football 12, which is depicted in FIG. 4. However, the smaller size of the football 12 allows the user's hand to extend over a greater portion of the football 12 than the training ball 10.

The larger size of the training ball 10 may keep the user's hand in a more open configuration compared to the user's hand when gripping the football 12. FIG. 3A represents a graphical depiction of the position of the user's index finger and thumb when gripping the training ball 10. As can be seen, the index finger defines a first axis 34 and the thumb defines a second axis 36 that intersect to define an angle, Θ₁. The first and second axes 34, 36 are generally correlated to the tangent to the respective surfaces of the training ball 10 where reference points 38, 40 on the index finger and thumb interface with the training ball 10. The reference points 38, 40 are horizontally spaced from a vertical axis, which forms a tangent to the graphical representation of the user's hand on the training ball 10 by a distance d₁.

FIG. 4A represents a graphical depiction of the position of the user's index finger and thumb when gripping the football 12. As can be seen, the index finger defines a first axis 42 and the thumb defines a second axis 44 that intersect to define an angle, Oz. The first and second axes 42, 44 are generally correlated to the tangent to the respective surfaces of the football 12 where same reference points 38, 40 on the index finger and thumb interface with the football 12. The reference points 38, 40 are horizontally spaced from a vertical axis, which forms a tangent to the graphical representation of the user's hand on the football 12 by a distance dz.

In view of the football 12 being a smaller size and having a smaller circumference, the distance d₂ is greater than the distance d₁ of the training ball 10. In other words, when the user grips the training ball 10, the larger circumference of the training ball 10 prevents the reference points 38, 40 from extending around the training ball 10 to the same extent that is possible on the football 12. It should be noted that the magnitude of the slope of the axes 34, 36 is larger (e.g., more vertical) than the magnitude of the slope of the axes 42, 44, and thus, when the user grips the training ball 10, the user is interfacing with more vertical surfaces, which may require more effort to create the opposing gripping forces needed to secure the ball 10 in the user's hand. The different in magnitude of the slopes of the axes 34, 36, and 42, 44 can be illustrated by the difference in angles Θ₁ and Θ₂ created by the axes 34, 36, and 42, 44, respectively. In particular, due to the smaller size of the football 12, the angle Θ₂ is smaller than the angle Θ₁. The larger angle Θ₁ may require a larger grip force to hold and control the training ball 10. Thus, by repeatedly gripping and throwing the training ball 10, the user's grip strength may increase.

Although grip strength may be important for a quarterback, it is also contemplated that other positions may benefit from training with the training ball 10. In this regard, any position that regularly touches the football 12 may benefit from training with the training ball 10. For instance, a center may benefit from practicing snapping the training ball 10 to develop strength in his snapping hand. Furthermore, the larger configuration of the training ball 10 may be useful for the center to improve his snapping motion, i.e., the movement of the ball from the field, through the center's legs, and into the quarterback's hand, so as to mitigate inadvertent grazing of the center's legs, which may lead to fumbles.

Wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends may additionally benefit from training with the training ball 10. In particular, the process of catching the training ball 10 and transitioning the training ball 10 to a safe, cradled position may allow the wide receivers, running backs and tight ends to develop strength, which may make it easier for such players to catch and cradle a football 12.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example only for purposes of illustrative discussion, and are not presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show any more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the different features of the various embodiments, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how these may be implemented in practice. 

1. A method of training to improve a user's ability to throw a football, the football having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis, the football further defining a lengthwise circumference which passes through the first and second ends, and a maximum widthwise circumference perpendicular to the lengthwise circumference and positioned between the first and second ends, the method comprising the steps of: gripping a training ball, the training ball having: a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis; a plurality of laces positioned between the first end and the second end; the training ball defining a lengthwise circumference which passes through the first and second ends, and a maximum widthwise circumference perpendicular to the lengthwise circumference and positioned between the first and second ends, the maximum widthwise circumference of the training ball being greater than the maximum widthwise circumference of the football; the training ball being gripped by one hand of the user, with at least one of the user's fingers extending toward the plurality of laces; and throwing the training ball in an overhand throwing motion.
 2. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of repeating the gripping step and repeating the throwing step.
 3. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the training ball includes a plurality of outer panels, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of panels define a seam, the gripping step including extending at least one of the user's fingers across a seam.
 4. The method recited in claim 3, wherein the gripping step includes extending two of the user's fingers across the plurality of laces.
 5. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the gripping step includes positioning the user's hand on the training ball such that the user's hand is closer to one of the first and second ends than the other one of the first and second ends.
 6. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the training ball includes a pair of semi-circular strips formed adjacent respective ones of the first and second ends, the gripping step including extending at least a portion of the user's hand to overlap a portion of one of the pair of semi-circular strips.
 7. A method of training to improve a user's ability to throw a football, the method comprising the steps of: gripping a training ball, the training ball having: a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis, a length (L) being defined as the distance between the first end and the second end along the longitudinal axis; an inflatable bladder positioned between the first end and the second end; a plurality of outer panels extending over the inflatable bladder, adjacent ones of the plurality of outer panels forming a seam therebetween, each seam extending between the first end and the second end; and a plurality of laces extending across a common seam; and the plurality of outer panels collectively defining an outer surface positioned about the longitudinal axis, the outer surface having a maximum width (W) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a ratio of L/W is less than 1.56. the training ball being gripped by one hand of the user, with at least one of the user's fingers extending toward the plurality of laces; and throwing the training ball in an overhand throwing motion.
 8. The method recited in claim 7, further comprising the steps of repeating the gripping step and repeating the throwing step.
 9. The method recited in claim 7, wherein the gripping step including extending at least one of the user's fingers across a seam.
 10. The method recited in claim 9, wherein the gripping step includes extending two of the user's fingers across the plurality of laces.
 11. The method recited in claim 7, wherein the gripping step includes positioning the user's hand on the training ball such that the user's hand is closer to one of the first and second ends than the other one of the first and second ends.
 12. The method recited in claim 7, wherein the training ball includes a pair of semi-circular strips formed adjacent respective ones of the first and second ends, the gripping step including extending at least a portion of the user's hand to overlap a portion of one of the pair of semi-circular strips.
 13. A training ball for improving a grip of a user, the training ball comprising: a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis, a length (L) being defined as the distance between the first end and the second end along the longitudinal axis; a plurality of outer panels extending over an inflatable bladder, adjacent ones of the plurality of outer panels forming a seam therebetween, each seam extending between the first end and the second end; and a lace extending across a common seam; the plurality of outer panels collectively defining an outer surface positioned about the longitudinal axis, the outer surface having a maximum width (W) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a ratio of L/W is less than 1.56.
 14. The training ball recited in claim 13, wherein the length, L, is equal to 10.5-11.5 inches.
 15. The training ball recited in claim 13, wherein the maximum width, W, is more than 7.2 inches
 16. The training ball recited in claim 15, wherein the maximum width, W, is between 7.20-7.80 inches.
 17. The training ball recited in claim 13, wherein the plurality of outer panels are formed of leather.
 18. The training ball recited in claim 13, further comprising a pair of arcuate strips positioned adjacent respective ones of the first end and the second end.
 19. The training ball recited in claim 13, wherein the outer surface defines a maximum outer circumference that is greater than or equal to 22 inches.
 20. The training ball recited in claim 13, wherein the inflatable bladder is positioned between the first end and the second end. 